As part of our new #WEAREAUSactive campaign, we will be showcasing the inspiring journeys and achievements of our AUSactive members across Australia every week.
This week, we're highlighting Philip Sherriff, a Townsville-based Level 3 AUSactive registered exercise professional with over two decades of combined education and experience. Philip began his coaching career in 2003 and fitness career in 2009. His background in technology in education, coupled with strength and conditioning coaching led to his role as Managing Director at Fitness Institute.
Meet Philip Sherriff
How long have you been a member with AUSactive?
13 years, since early 2011.
What qualifications do you hold?
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Diploma of Fitness (Fitness Therapist)
- Diploma of Fitness (Advanced Personal Trainer)
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
- Certificate III & IV in Fitness
- Bachelor of Information Technology (IT)
I commenced the Master of Strength and Conditioning (S&C) at LaTrobe University in 2023 and expect to complete my studies in mid-2025.
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Level 2 Professional
- AUSactive Accredited Level 3 Fitness Professional
- Level 2 CrossFit Trainer
What motivated you to pursue a career in the exercise and active health industry?
I grew up participating in a variety of sports including Rugby League, Athletics, Table Tennis, Tennis and Basketball. After my IT degree in 2003, I returned to my High School, Ignatius Park College where I worked as IT Manager, in addition to coaching Basketball and Athletics. While emerging technology is still an interest of mine, I was more passionate about coaching. In 2008, I took a break from IT and did a 6-month working holiday in Banff, Canada as a Health Club Supervisor at a resort in the Rocky Mountains. I loved the positivity of the industry, and this led me to completing Strength and Conditioning qualifications and later my PT and CrossFit courses. Fitness education has been an ongoing pursuit for me.
What has your journey as an exercise professional looked like so far?
My journey started in 2009 with my ASCA Level 1 course and soon after in 2010/11 for my Level 2 Associate. I was invited to shadow and assist the Townsville Fire’s Strength and Conditioning (S&C) sessions under Head of S&C Todd Alloway and I also had ongoing mentoring at Ignatius Park College with John Alloway. I then completed my PT qualifications in 2010/11 with Fitness Institute and gained casual employment as a PT with Strand Fitness. It was a very active and social group, and I loved this aspect of the industry. Soon after, I seized the opportunity to complete the CrossFit Level 1 qualification and I began coaching with Strand CrossFit. This was a perfect opportunity to improve both Olympic weightlifting and gymnastics skills.
During my PT Course, I identified an opportunity to enhance the Fitness Institute student experience with an online Learning Management System. I developed this system during another Canadian working holiday in 2013, where I also worked as a CrossFit coach and PT in Canmore. When we launched the online platform, the company expanded quickly as a result. This later led to becoming the Manager of Fitness Institute in 2014 and a year later a business partner as the Managing Director. We have now taught 40 Face to Face cohorts in Townsville for our PT course, and I have maintained coaching CrossFit for the past 12 years.
What accomplishment are you most proud of, personally or professionally?
Personally, marrying my wife Debra has been my proudest accomplishment. She has been with me through the highs of many international holidays and has supported my crazy work and study schedule for the past 13 years.
Professionally, I’m proud that I have demonstrated loyalty and consistency with 11 years at Ignatius Park College Basketball, 12 years at Strand CrossFit, 7 seasons of the Townsville Fire and 13 years at Fitness Institute. I have been able to combine multiple areas of technology, fitness, and coaching principles to continually improve my practice and build trust with my athletes and students.
What has been your biggest challenge as an exercise professional?
In 2015, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had two major surgeries. I was concerned about how I would be able to continue coaching CrossFit and teaching students at Fitness Institute. At the time, I had just become a first-time business owner so was navigating the challenges of running a business. I also have chronic patellar tendinopathy which required bi-lateral surgery in 2019. Despite these setbacks, I count my blessings and I’m very inspired by many of our students who have had to overcome much bigger challenges to become a fitness professional.
What would you advise for someone thinking about a career in the exercise and active health industry?
Just get started and embrace the challenges as you learn and develop your skills. We speak to hundreds of potential students who want to become a PT, but don’t back themselves for several reasons including the way they look or a lack of confidence in their fitness ability. The longer people think about taking the next steps, the more they can psych themselves out of the game. To become a successful PT, knowledge is a small part of the entire picture. Developing meaningful coach-client relationships will override most measures and constant evaluation and reflection is required.
What is the favourite part of your job?
The best part of my job at Fitness Institute is meeting our Face-to-Face students on day 1 and hearing about why they want to become a trainer. Many have already achieved their own fitness success and have been influenced by another coach.
The best part of my role with the Townsville Fire is seeing the athletes progress through the Long-Term Athletic Development stages. This may include making the Opals, scoring their first WNBL points or hitting new PBs in the gym. Working within the High-Performance Team has also encouraged me to start my master’s degree and increase my knowledge in Sports Science and research.
The best part of being a CrossFit coach is the community. The CrossFit community is one of the best sporting models I have seen internationally, and it is no surprise that the sport grew so quickly. If you enjoy what you do and who you do it with, it’s more likely that you will stick with the sport.
What has been your highlight of being an AUSactive member?
Attending the AUSactive awards as a finalist for Educator of the Year in 2022 was a big achievement. It was fantastic to be around likeminded people who are all passionate about what they do.
The ongoing communication and support from the team has also been a highlight. Barrie Elvish has visited Townsville and I have remained in good contact with Chris Alexander and Jordan Kidd for education resources and student support. The team at AUSactive have always been responsive and generate quality evidence-based guides that are highly actionable by both students and exercise professionals.
Check out Philip's AUSactive profile here.
